Mcgowen Barrel Reviews

[TxLite]

I believe McGowen Precison blanks are what CarbonSix uses for their barrels. Been waiting on my CarbonSix CF 6.5prc barrel since March 2024, it's almost December. I heard they got a contract for a big brand name, (Browning), and that is why barrel orders are taking longer. I hate waiting for barrels.

I spoke with c6 last week. Lead times should be coming down with McGowen rolling out their new rifling machines. They’ll be cut rifled now but can be produced at a much faster rate. When I spoke with Gene it sounded like McGowen was already running 6.5 blanks on the new equipment.

It also sounded like c6 made some changes internally with their production team, and the folks that caused them to be so backlogged are no longer there, so after they get caught up on the backlog things should move quicker

 

[wyosam]

I believe McGowen Precison blanks are what CarbonSix uses for their barrels. Been waiting on my CarbonSix CF 6.5prc barrel since March 2024, it's almost December. I heard they got a contract for a big brand name, (Browning), and that is why barrel orders are taking longer. I hate waiting for barrels.

They do make the carbon 6 blanks. Waiting for barrels sucks, but it just is what it is. Chances I want something that’s already sitting on a shelf are about zero, so I just plan ahead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dualsight]

A question for anyone: What is the process of shipping a barreled action to an out-of-state barrel manufacturer (Carbon Six, Mcgowen, Preferred, X Caliber, etc.)?

I do not mean the packaging, lots of information online for packaging, I am referring to shipping like through FedEx or UPS.

I called, and talked to a couple of people, and also spoke to one person when picking up a shipping box. I get mixed messages. I tried calling the barrel manufacturer, but last week being Thanksgiving I did not get through. Some shippers say I would just need to present an FFL when handing over the package; others tell me, no, only the owner of the FFL can make out the shipping label that goes on the package.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[wind gypsy]

Ship directly to vendor with usps, probably best to tell them it’s a firearm receiver so they mandate signature. I’ve never had a usps ask me for a thing about ffl license info. Fedex and ups are a little more difficult. Damn sure aren’t shipping from a ups store if they know it’s a gun part.

 

[Dualsight]

Ship directly to vendor with usps, probably best to tell them it’s a firearm receiver so they mandate signature. I’ve never had a usps ask me for a thing about ffl license info. Fedex and ups are a little more difficult. Damn sure aren’t shipping from a ups store if they know it’s a gun part.

Thank you. That helps a lot.

 

[krisschmied]

I have 2 carbonsix barrels, which are mcgowen stainless wrapped barrels from my understanding. One in .280 ackley, shoots very well. 3/4” 5 shot groups with several types of ammo/handloads. Just build a bolt action 22 arc, and that held just over half inch, 10 shot group with a mild handload of 80 grain eld x, with almost no load development. Honestly just took a grain off max, and put bullets 0.050” off lands and it hammers.

 

[wind gypsy]

Thank you. That helps a lot.

I typically have an ffl license # handy just in case or at least I used to. Lately my local post office guy seems to know it’s gun stuff half the time I’m in and doesn’t give me grief

 

[Packmansion]

I got it. It looks good and the contour matches my PBB perfectly. The threads as well as the rest of the machining is much more clean than my previous Mcgowen prefits. I hope to spin it on this winter and start shooting it.

have you shot it yet?

 

[Timberline001]

have you shot it yet?

Ended up getting my hands on a 1:8 tikka .243 so I sold it

 

[Packmansion]

Well got a McGowen today in the mail. Unfortunately they botched my order. I ask for a Tikka lite contour flared for 5/8. Instead I got an entirely different contour which does not taper nearly as fast as the Tikka and the muzzle does not flare it has an OD of 0.710 and is threaded 5/8. I would not be suprised if it's a shooter but I can't justify buying a $600 stock to find out. Tried sanding the factory stock with not much success. I can say PBB produces a much nicer quality. The threads on the mcgowan are rough and wavy and the thread protector was off center. The cost savings are not worth it. Thought I would take chance with their summer sale. Hopefully they will work with me and don't expect me to be paying for shipping... We'll see. Hopefully they respond to my emails haha.

 

[atmat]

Why anyone is still buying McGowen after these reviews is beyond me.

It’s not just the botched product. It’s the value of your time to rectify it.

 

[wyosam]

Why anyone is still buying McGowen after these reviews is beyond me.

It’s not just the botched product. It’s the value of your time to rectify it.

I think just enough people have good luck to keep a spark of hope alive for the bargain. All but one of mine (chambered too deep) have been functionally fine, and shoot great. The threading work is generally not nice to look at. I’ll probably keep using their blanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Packmansion]

I'll let you all know how it shoots... Sanded the ever living crap out of my stock and she fits quite well now. Not a terrible contour just not what I ordered.

 

[floridajpr]

Why anyone is still buying McGowen after these reviews is beyond me.

It’s not just the botched product. It’s the value of your time to rectify it.

Most of the people here have ordered from Carbon6 or McGowen awhile back and have been patiently waiting. When I ordered from Carbon6 in March 2024, they advertsed 10 to 15 weeks. Still patiently waiting.

 

[letrbuck]

Oof. Makes me worried about the custom contour barrel I ordered. Was quoted 10-12 weeks. Coming up on 15 now

 

[z987k]

Well got a McGowen today in the mail. Unfortunately they botched my order. I ask for a Tikka lite contour flared for 5/8. Instead I got an entirely different contour which does not taper nearly as fast as the Tikka and the muzzle does not flare it has an OD of 0.710 and is threaded 5/8. I would not be suprised if it's a shooter but I can't justify buying a $600 stock to find out. Tried sanding the factory stock with not much success. I can say PBB produces a much nicer quality. The threads on the mcgowan are rough and wavy and the thread protector was off center. The cost savings are not worth it. Thought I would take chance with their summer sale. Hopefully they will work with me and don't expect me to be paying for shipping... We'll see. Hopefully they respond to my emails haha.

Id send that back and have them contour it correctly.

 

[Packmansion]

Id send that back and have them contour it correctly.

I'd be open to getting my money back because I don't think they could successfully recountuor as the muzzle end is less than .725 which is typically the minimum for 5/8x24. Idk what game they are going to play but I have a feeling I'm in for a big waste of time.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Why anyone is still buying McGowen after these reviews is beyond me.

It’s not just the botched product. It’s the value of your time to rectify it.

I will still buy their barrels for a couple of reasons. I have shot lots of their barrels(15ish), and all have shot great. I've had six carbon six barrels, all of which have shot great. I have never tried a prefit and probably never will. I have had a few mixes up, but they have fixed them. They were also the first company to nail the barrel flare for me. Maybe the biggest thing for me is that I am never in a hurry when I order barrels.

 

[Schmo]

My buddy ordered a McGowen blank. When his smith chambered it, it had .008” runout at muzzle. Absolutely awful. Industry standard max runout is .0005”. Bore not concentric with muzzle. Absolutely unacceptable.

 

[Packmansion]

I will still buy their barrels for a couple of reasons. I have shot lots of their barrels(15ish), and all have shot great. I've had six carbon six barrels, all of which have shot great. I have never tried a prefit and probably never will. I have had a few mixes up, but they have fixed them. They were also the first company to nail the barrel flare for me. Maybe the biggest thing for me is that I am never in a hurry when I order barrels.

I think most people here are talking about prefits not blanks. It seems like the issues people are having aren't with accuracy. I am not sure why any business would risk undermining themselves in one area while performing so well in another. It seems their inhouse gunsmithing services could be doing them more harm than good. I'd have no issue ordering a blank from them they seem to have that down. Took the gun out to shoot it and it performed quite well. I guess ill just have to get over the corncob media blast job lol. Its almost a little funny, I kind of like how homemade it looks lol. My PBBs are soo nice comparatively. I will definitely stick with PBB here on out. Very accurate and well finished no issues.